You have probably seen a series of horrific family photos online--you know the ones--where everyone is dressed to match or there is just something really awkward about the photo. With Christmas looming up ahead, you do not want to be one of those families pictured in those scary family photo lineups any time in the future. There is a right way and a wrong way to use costumes to create memorable photos, and this is how you do it.

Go Disney

Families are a common theme in most of these movies, the most popular of which is Frozen. Other characters and story lines have had their fair share of wintry scenes, and your family could recreate some of them with some cute results. For the baby/infant in your family, the little, lovable sidekicks work best for costumes.

Recreate Your Favorite Christmas Movie Scene

Let's be reasonable here; you do not want to recreate anything from Bad Santa or Christmas Slay, but National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation or How the Grinch Stole Christmas could make some very pleasant and adorable family photos. Your baby could go as the family cat or Little Cindy Lou Who. If you are not sure whether your idea would be cute or frighteningly bad, run it by a few of your close friends and see what they think.

The First Family's Christmas

No, this is not the Obamas. If you only have the one infant, this is a very cute and modest way to present a family Christmas card. Parents go as Joseph and Mary, while your little one gets to play the part of the Christ child. If you have older children, they can be the angels on high, the shepherds, or the wise men. More spiritual and religious families will have no problem finding the costumes, as they can probably borrow them from church.

Be Subtle and Choose Wisely

Your background for your family's Christmas portrait is as important as what you wear in it. Although costumes are great, you should try to be more subtle and less in your face about it, since you want your family's card to be well-received. Consider how you would like to be seen, and how you would like others to picture themselves when sending holiday photo cards and that should help you choose wisely. After all, you would rather people laugh, smile and think of you fondly this holiday season instead of cringe, chortle and hide.

For more information about costumes, contact Easley's Fun Shop or a similar company.